Medicare 2026

Bloomington at 65? Your 7-Month Medicare Window, Explained

# Bloomington at 65? Your 7-Month Medicare Window…

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — If a 65th birthday is on your calendar in the months ahead, so is one of the most important deadlines of your adult life. Medicare's Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is a seven-month window built around the month you turn 65 — and missing it can mean gaps in coverage and lasting late-enrollment penalties. Here's what Bloomington residents need to know before the window opens.

What the Initial Enrollment Period actually is

The IEP is your first personal window to sign up for Medicare. It's seven months long: the three months before the month you turn 65, your birthday month, and the three months after. For most people, this is the only time you can enroll in every part of Medicare at once without needing a special reason.

If your birthday is in June, for example, your IEP runs from March 1 through September 30. Sign up in those first three months and your coverage generally begins the first day of your birthday month. Wait until later, and your start date gets pushed back.

First steps to take in Bloomington

Start about six months before your 65th birthday. A few things to check:

• Are you already getting Social Security? If yes, you'll usually be enrolled in Part A and Part B automatically. If no, you need to sign yourself up at ssa.gov or by calling Social Security.
• Do you have employer coverage? If you or your spouse are still working and covered by a group plan, the rules are different, and you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period later. Talk to your HR department before you decide.
• Do you take regular prescriptions? You'll want to think about Part D drug coverage during your IEP to avoid a lifelong penalty.

Understanding the parts

Medicare comes in pieces, and knowing the vocabulary helps:

• Part A covers hospital stays. Most people pay no premium.
• Part B covers doctor visits and outpatient care. It has a standard monthly premium set by CMS each year.
• Part C (Medicare Advantage) is an all-in-one alternative offered by private insurers.
• Part D covers prescription drugs.
• Medigap (Medicare Supplement) helps pay costs that Original Medicare leaves behind.

Bloomington is in Hennepin County, where Medicare beneficiaries have multiple Medicare Advantage and Part D options to compare. Plan availability is set at the county level, so your choices are the same as your neighbors across Hennepin — from Minneapolis to Eden Prairie.

What's new for 2027

A few program-level facts to keep in mind as you shop:

• The Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100 in 2026. Once your prescription spending hits that number, you pay $0 for covered drugs the rest of the year.
• The Part D deductible can be no more than $615.
• The old "donut hole" coverage gap was eliminated in 2025. Part D now has three phases instead of four.
• The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread drug costs across the year in monthly installments if you choose.
• IRMAA surcharges — extra premiums for higher earners — start above $109,000 in income for a single filer in 2026.

Deadlines to remember after your IEP

Once you're enrolled, two annual windows matter:

• Annual Enrollment Period: October 15 – December 7. This is when anyone with Medicare can change Part D or Medicare Advantage coverage for the following year.
• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: January 1 – March 31. If you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you get one chance to switch.

Where Bloomington readers can get free help

You don't have to figure this out alone, and you don't need to pay anyone to explain your options.

• Medicare.gov has the official Plan Finder tool and full enrollment details.
• 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) is staffed 24/7.
• The Minnesota State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), called the Senior LinkAge Line here, provides free, unbiased counseling. Reach them at 1-800-333-2433.